Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 24:48

"Ye are witnesses of these things." — Luke 24:48 (ASV)

From time to time Luke has taken care to show that whatever the Lord has said unfailingly takes place (e.g., 2:20, 26; 19:32; 22:13, 37). That implication is perhaps present in the words “This is what I told you.” Luke has a double emphasis in these verses, for not only had Jesus predicted the events that had happened, but the OT had also. The clause “while I was still with you” is a way of distinguishing between the days of Jesus’ earthly ministry and his temporary postresurrection ministry before Ascension. “Law... Prophets...Psalms” expands “Moses and all the Prophets” in v.27 by adding the Psalms as a major component of the OT, the third division called the Writings.

In v.31 the eyes of the two on the way to Emmaus were “opened.” Now Jesus has “opened” the disciples’ minds (v.45) to the “Scriptures.” The formula “on the third day” (cf. v.7) goes back to the first passion prediction (9:22). Even the widespread preaching of repentance and forgiveness was predicted in the OT (cf. Acts 26:23). Such Scriptures as Isa 42:6; 60:3 may underlie v.47 here (cf. Acts 13:47). The fulfillment began in Ac 2:38: “Repent... for the forgiveness of sins.” Gentiles heard these words in Ac 10:43 and 17:30 (cf. Paul’s commission, Acts 26:17–18). The idea of reaching the Gentiles is certainly prominent in Luke . Also, the place of Jerusalem as the base of the mission accords with Luke’s constant featuring of that city. Likewise Luke has stressed the place of “witnesses” (GK 3459) and will continue to do so in Acts (e.g., 1:8). Therefore, v.48 supports his emphasis. What the Father “promised” (v.49) is the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4–5; Acts 2:16–17), who is indeed the promised “power” (Acts 1:8). This “power from on high” has been known in Luke from the very beginning of his narrative, for the Son of God was conceived in Mary when the Holy Spirit came upon her and she was overshadowed by the “power of the Most High.” Luke concludes where he began.